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Sidney Crosby of Penguins wins Conn Smythe Trophy

Center had 27 points during Stanley Cup Playoffs to earn MVP for second straight season

by
Wes Crosby
/ NHL.com Correspondent

Center Sidney Crosby won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the second straight season after the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday.

The Penguins won the best-of-7 series 4-2 to become the first repeat Stanley Cup champions since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998.

Crosby is the third player to win the Conn Smythe in consecutive years, joining Penguins forward Mario Lemieux (1991 and 1992) and Philadelphia Flyers goalie Bernie Parent (1974 and 1975).

Crosby missed Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Washington Capitals after sustaining his second concussion of the season during the previous game. He returned in Game 5 and had one assist in each of the final three games of that series.

After not getting a point in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Crosby scored 11 points (four goals, seven assists) during a six-game point streak that lasted until he was concussed after playing 2:11 in Game 3 of the second round.

Crosby scored at least one point in nine of 10 games from April 14 to May 10, with Game 3 of the second round the exception.

After Pittsburgh lost Games 3 and 4 of the Cup Final on the road, Crosby had three assists in its 6-0 win in Game 5 at PPG Paints Arena.

Crosby, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the first time last season with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 24 games during the 2016 playoffs. He was second on the Penguins behind forward Phil Kessel, who had 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists).